Is the Hawks D for real?

[olddude]

I think 21st in the country in points allowed is pretty good and I'll take it.

The unit that needs to step up is the passing game.

Yeah, but against some of the teams coming up (maybe even PSU) if we are not getting better, no way we hold them to 17 ppg. If they hold everyone from here on out to 17 ppg they will be ranked way higher then what they are now. THAT would be exciting. Not only from the stand point of it saying what these players are made of, but also for what it means in the future.

I agree if we dont get something going on O, it is going to be a tough road.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

After the Penn State game is when will find out how real this D is. When they start facing some offensive styles that I'm not too convinced that this Defense can stop. If I'm right JVB better get his act in order.

 

[Travisam]

I've been told that James Morris' stache is pasted on and that Bigach has fake hooters. Outside of that, I believe that the rest of the D is for real.

 

[expos1994]

Iowa's D-line always plays better when the linebackers are good. This year, good linebackers = good defense.

Remember 2010 when we returned almost everyone and were expected to challenge for the NC with our vaunted D-line? Well we didn't return Angerer and Edds anymore and that D-line was a shell of its former self.

When these linebackers are gone we'll be in a down period again on Defense... unless we replace them.

 

[eveningnewsteam]

When Iowa's safeties get challenged, look the F out. It isnt going to be pretty. Theyve been beaten like a drum, fortunately for Iowa they have played against quarterbacks who couldnt deliver the football. Dont even get me started on the run support from that position.

 

[okeefe4prez]

When Iowa's safeties get challenged, look the F out. It isnt going to be pretty. Theyve been beaten like a drum, fortunately for Iowa they have played against quarterbacks who couldnt deliver the football. Dont even get me started on the run support from that position.

With the exception of Siemian at NU, I don't think we have a QB left on the schedule who can consistently deliver the rock, especially if the front four gets good pressure. McGloin has had a couple of decent games, but they were against the really bad defenses of Illinois and Northwestern. He isn't just going to sit back there and pick Iowa apart.

I watched that Indiana QB at the game in Evanston and he was really streaky, he did nothing most of the game and then just exploded for a few drives, then couldn't hit anyone again. We've seen Dennard 3 years in a row and we know his arm is very spotty. Martinez is in the same boat as Dennard. Purdue's QB carousel hasn't produced much against decent defenses, either. The Big Ten is really, really, really bad this year.

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

With the exception of Siemian at NU, I don't think we have a QB left on the schedule who can consistently deliver the rock, especially if the front four gets good pressure. McGloin has had a couple of decent games, but they were against the really bad defenses of Illinois and Northwestern. He isn't just going to sit back there and pick Iowa apart.

I watched that Indiana QB at the game in Evanston and he was really streaky, he did nothing most of the game and then just exploded for a few drives, then couldn't hit anyone again. We've seen Dennard 3 years in a row and we know his arm is very spotty. Martinez is in the same boat as Dennard. Purdue's QB carousel hasn't produced much against decent defenses, either. The Big Ten is really, really, really bad this year.

The passing quality of QBs in the league has significantly diminished w/ the advent of the run-based spread. IA's safeties are not particularly good in pass D (and are average at best in run support). Hyde is the only DB I trust on a deep ball. Miller and Castillo both had picks in the Minny game, yet both were in obvious trail position on their picks, and Donatell was repeatedly beaten deep all game against ISU; fortunately Steel Jantz was very inaccurate.

From what I've seen of McGloin, he's a bit of a gunslinger but doesn't throw it vertically much. If PSU was smart (which I expect BOB to be), they'll continue w/ their short, controlled passing game and follow NW's recipe to beat IA. However, I agree that McGloin isn't particularly accurate if forced to throw into small windows. PSU's RB's are nothing special and aren't much of a threat, but BOB seems content (and intelligent) to play to his strengths and doesn't put his players in a position to beat themselves. MSU, IA and PSU are all very, very comparable - fairly stout Ds w/ fairly conservative Os that just don't want their Os to lose the game.

 

[kicker22]

I think the main thing is that so far this season we really haven't seen a truly multiple dimensional offense. We haven't seen a team yet that can pound the ball on the ground as well as pose a threat in the air. I've been impressed with our defense all season, but how good they are has yet to be determined.

 

[Golfer]

When Iowa's safeties get challenged, look the F out. It isnt going to be pretty. Theyve been beaten like a drum, fortunately for Iowa they have played against quarterbacks who couldnt deliver the football. Dont even get me started on the run support from that position.

.

Yes, Saturday the safeties were supposed to provide run support, and couldn't tackle. At some point, d coordinators are going to have to find a happy medium between no tackling after fall ball to prevent injuries, and practice tackling. The tackling in college football has been about as bad as the officiating.

The safeties will get better. Even without the o linemen from MSU, this defense made it's way through the best rusher they will see this season.